#Colorado
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| Colorado Parks and Wildlife |
In the wake of Tuesday’s national headline news that a Colorado trail runner fought off a mountain lion attack at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, Colorado Parks and Wildlife shared the following advice for what to do if ever involved in a mountain lion encounter. CPW prefaced the tips with the fact that these attacks are not common in Colorado:
• Do not approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
• Stay calm when you come upon a lion. Talk calmly and firmly to it. Move slowly and never turn your back on it.
• Stop or back away slowly, if you can do it safely. Running may stimulate a lion’s instinct to chase and attack. Face the lion and stand upright.
• Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open your jacket if you’re wearing one.
• If the lion behaves aggressively, throw stones, branches or whatever you can get your hands on without crouching down or turning your back. Wave your arms slowly and speak firmly.
• Fight back if a lion attacks you. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. People have fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, garden tools and their bare hands successfully. We recommend targeting the eyes and nose as these are sensitive areas.
Courtesy Summit Daily
